OUR DEPARTMENTS
We do it all under one roof!
Landscape
Architecture
The Landscape Architecture department designs attractive and functional outdoor spaces for Gallaher Companies’ properties. Collaborating with the talents of our architects, engineers and interior designers, we bring in parks, pools, gardens, courtyards, walkways, open spaces, terraces, rock walls and fountains, accenting the style and aesthetic of the architecture and location. We create site features that give a sense of place and create a lifestyle.
Through design development and construction drawings, our work contributes preliminary planting and site design plans in the entitlement phase, as well as planting and irrigation plans, site material and hardscape plans in the construction phase. In between, we weigh in on site engineering, biodiversity, grading, water efficiency and storm water management. Our end goal is to help build healthy and vibrant communities.
Interior Design
The design team is responsible for all areas of interior design for all Gallaher Companies construction projects. Duties start with construction plan set review and end with the installation of furnishings for all public and shared spaces in buildings. During this process, which can last several years, work commences in coordination with the drafting team, the construction department and landscape architects. The pace is rapid and the culture collaborative, creative and production oriented.
To begin, the development of a design scheme consistent with the building architecture takes place. Consideration of the ultimate use of the interior spaces is paramount. Function, health and safety for occupant use are all elements that are addressed in the choice of lighting, color, and materials. When a design direction is determined the specification of interior finishes commences. Virtually every interior finish, from flooring to cabinets and countertops, to plumbing fixtures, light fixtures and paint color needs to be detailed. Once the interior finishes are specified then the selection of furniture and accessories can begin. As furniture selection finalizes purchase orders are placed. Purchasing is a critical part of the department and involves a detailed and lengthy process to get pricing, place orders, track orders, schedule deliveries, and keep records per project to submit to the finance department for end of year accounting needs.
The Design department as a team works with the company to ensure the finished product is aesthetically pleasing and functional. Being intimately involved from beginning to end lends itself to ensuring standards ofexcellence are achieved.
Finance + Accounting
Our finance and accounting department, led by the CFO, is intimately involved in each phase of our projects. Finance works with operations and construction as initial proformas are created to determine financial viability. Once a project enters development stage, lengthy packages including market studies and budgets are assembled and provided to financial institutions to acquire construction financing. Our in-house accounting teams manage the payments to all sub-contractors and coordinate construction draws with the banks that we partner with.
As projects are completed, we enter a phase of obtaining permanent financing or package to sell, both rigorous and intense in terms of hours from the department in providing all documents and financial statements needed for a seamless transition. The assets that remain in the portfolio have ongoing management where accounting works directly with our operation partner to create budgets, prepare financial statements, and see that AR and AP are all up to date. Refinancing, investor relations and overall company strength is also all monitored and managed under this umbrella.
Architecture + Drafting
Gallaher Companies has a resident architecture and drafting team. All plans are generated in house. After the architectural style of the structure is decided upon the plans go to drafting to be detailed. Drafters need to understand state and local building codes and also be familiar with the specific parameters of a Gallaher project. They take the company vision and translate it into construction details that enable it to be built. They need to be able to work in two dimensions and envision three. How will a room of a certain size, with a specific ceiling height, and windows of various sizes and locations feel and function when built?
Drafters also work with various outside professionals: electrical engineers and structural engineers in addition to the internal design department to execute the detailed plans that will be sent to the field to be built. The entire team is needed to create plans that are aesthetically pleasing, functional, structurally sound, and with every detail noted for the construction team in the field.
Site Acquisition
A project begins with a piece of vacant land or just as often a piece of land that holds obsolete structures that need to be demolished. The identification of sites for future projects is a specialty that involves input from several departments but starts with the person or team who is out looking for land appropriate for different Gallaher products. These include multifamily housing, Senior Living communities and occasionally midsize shopping and retail centers.
There is a myriad of factors that have to be considered. Parcel size, cost, zoning and surrounding features and demographics are all critical elements. Assuming all the preceding elements are favorable and a purchase contract is enacted, the entitlement and permit process (often years long) begins. This involves meetings with the government agencies that regulate project development and meeting their various demands, all of which have to be satisfied before groundbreaking can occur. Discussion with and presentations to planning commission and city council, along with hosting neighborhood meetings are all common steps in the process. Parking requirements, environmental impacts, tree removal and mitigation and traffic impacts are all addressed.
An experienced and successful project manager works independently, has excellent communication and social skills and expertise regarding zoning law and familiarity with the specific project requirements.
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